Album Of The Year #13: Dälek - Endangered Philosophies - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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Album Of The Year #13: Dälek - Endangered Philosophies - HipHop

Album Of The Year #13: Dälek - Endangered Philosophies - HipHop

Album Of The Year #13: Dälek - Endangered Philosophies

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 09:20 AM PST

Artist: Dälek

Album: Endangered Philosophies

Label: Ipecac Records

Release Date: September 1, 2017

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Background:

When you think of "experimental hip-hop" or "industrial hip-hop" today a few key names consistently get brought up; Death Grips, Danny Brown, Shabazz Palaces, clipping and even Mr. Kanye West with his 2013 release Yeezus. After all, these are the guys who brought industrial music and an extreme aesthetic into hip-hop right? Well Not really. Before any of these artists got their legs there was Dälek . Though they have somewhat faded from popular consciousness in hip-hop today these guys are without a doubt THE most important and legendary artists in the twisted and abstract realm of industrial hip-hop.

Formed in 1997 in the depths of Newark, New Jersy, the project was largely the collaboration of MC/producer Dälek (Will Brooks), co-producer Oktopus and a select few studio collaborators. For nearly 2 decades the group pushed hip-hop to its most extreme limits by fusing relentless noise, industrial, drone and dark ambient music into grimy, gritty boom bap. Not only that, but fighting the usual haze of frenzied fuzz is MC Dälek , who delivers scathing political and social critiques with a rattling bite. The main constant in the band's music has always been darkness born from political discontent, social upheaval and an anti-establishment attitude.

In '98 the group independently released their first studio record, Negro Necro Nekros, which was entrenched in its alternative rock and industrial influences. The album turned heads in both the rap world and moreso in the rock world as Dalek went on to sign to experimental/alternative legend mike patton's label, Ipecac Recordings. As a result of this, Dalek became a group more known among metal fans than hip-hop heads. The atmospheric, bad tempered approach to their sound made them a perfect gateway drug to hip-hop for the experimental and extreme music world and sadly led to them being largely overlooked in the rap world.

Under Ipecac the group released four of their most celebrated albums, which still remain as some of the most acclaimed experimental rap albums of all time. While their first album had it's obvious dark elements, Dalek went on to make fringe hip-hop that was more blown out, more dissonant and more morose. These four albums are (in order) From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots, Absence, Abandoned Language and Gutter Tactics.

With Ipecac they had complete freedom to become more upfront and abrasive. From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots incorporated a myriad of styles alongside their established extreme sound (even including African world music). The album also contained an insane 12 minute track based around feedbacking guitars and erratic electronics (a sure influence for the death grips work that arrive over a decade later).

Then came Absence. This album will surely go down as the most important noise rap album in history and solidified Dalek as legends in their field. Here the group showed that they were perfectly fine with drowning out vocals, leaving out percussion, ramping up distortion and pushing a dreading atmosphere as the focus in their music, rather than a beat or lyrics (though those aspects were always there and always excellent). colossal sludgy guitars, waves of electronics and crazy structures made for the first complete album in truly atonal, idiosyncratic hip-hop. A turning point for both genres and an essential record.

In 2011 following 3 more heavily acclaimed records the group went on a permanent hiatus with members breaking off to explore other avenues. In 2015 Brooks began to miss the chaos and reformed Dalek with guitarist Mike Mare and DJ Rek. On Profound Lore Records (note: an extreme metal label) they released a comeback LP, Asphalt for Eden, which initially started as an EP that the group ended up extending out to album length. Though people were worried how the band would fare without founding member Oktopus helping to produce the music, the record came to a mostly positive response, but it was subtly evident that the guys were still finding their feet again.

In 2016, Ipecac Records had re-signed Dalek and they were hard at work on a new experiment in chaos. The result is Endangered Philosophies.

Review:

Endangered Philosophies starts unlike any other hip-hop record has this year; Two heavily distorted, sludgy guitars snarl and smash against each other in disjointed dissonance, each trying to overpower the other with their off kilter riffs. Suddenly these clanky, metallic drums crash in and lay a hip-hop beat as a fuzzed out bass guitar enters the fold, pairing up with the the guitars to continue the sonic onslaught. When the rapper emerges out of the destruction, he sounds charged and pissed off. As a response the guitars actually change and start dive bombing around his disgruntled spitting. MC Dalek thunders through the madness by rapping about the political and racial tensions in the world today:

Respond to pressure

Viewed by most as lesser

Don't come with fake tears when you chose to play aggressor.

Droning, swirling noise; this sounds like Absence era Dalek. The intensity of the MC is as charged as the bombastic maelstrom he literally has to shout over, makingEchoes Of… a bold opening statement. Musically it displays a Dalek that are still capable of creating enveloping, immediate walls of spontaneous distortion rather than focusing on an ambient atmosphere. Recent albums were cleaner and more melodic but this opener quells any doubts in the minds of fanatics. Lyrically it is the statement that we've been waiting for Brooks to make in the current climate.

In 2017 not much needs to be said about the divisive and explosive nature of American politics. With the recent cases of young African Americans being killed by police, the election of Donald trump 45th president of the U.S, the rise of his followers online (including the alt rights) and the rise of white supremacist groups in America in the ensuing fallout of the 2016 election it's perhaps an understatement to say race politics and tensions are at a high this decade. Systemic oppression, discrimination and the hot tempered back and forth between the right and left has resulted a disenfranchised feeling permeating through the hip-hop community. How does MC Dalek respond? By opening Endangered Philosophies loudly exclaiming:

We're the Echoes of Martin, of Malcolm, Of Evers,

Of Hampton, Of Seale

My People won't kneel

Reminding the world that his people are following the echos of major black activists, MC Dalek sends out a message that they will not submit to the pressure they're under. This sets the tone, lyrically, for the entire album to come. Dalek often focus on the fucked up parts of the world, but underneath that rage is a persistent revolutionary anger and stubborn message of empowerment.

Following on from such an incendiary opener the tracks Weapons and Few Understand play to a more recent sound from the trio. These instrumentals are relatively melodic and even ethereal by comparison. This is where Endangered Philosophies starts to prove itself as a more eclectic, dynamic album. A stark contrast to the opener, the soundscapes on these tracks are comprised entirely of pulsing ambient synths and subtly played bass lines. There are however two musical constants that have carried on from the first track; the rapping and the drumming. If you remove these constants you're essentially listening to ambient music.

Constants are impossible to ignore though, and the aforementioned two are the essence the Dalek sound. Percussive beats remain weighty and stay locked into a classic golden era rhythm. One of the most impressive things about the production is that whether there's heavy roaring guitars, slow ambience or an industrial cacophony– there will invariably be a BOOM followed by a BAP. The beauty of Dalek and this record is that they successfully manage to incorporate fringe genres within hip-hops strict percussive walls.

These ambient industrial based detours may be melodic, but they are still densely shrouded in a sullen and unsmiling atmosphere, enforced with the other mentioned constant; angry politicized lyrics. Though the anger of the intro is still present, MC Dalek starts to talk more about issues at hand than gut emotions:

We born as suspects, wonder why we upset,

reluctant to walk streets as they blood let,

a brainwashed public elects an inept government, more than troubling

Throughout the album themes of civil disobedience, unrest, institutionalized racism, revolution and the failures of the human race incessantly crop up. Hip-hop always has a political core and has its political minds, however this album delves into the darkest conclusions and realities of the world (note: even the title points towards this if you think about what they refer to with the phrase "Endangered Philosophies"). No better way to illustrate that than the fourth song, The son of Immigrants, which brings back noise elements into the mix and descends into an angrier, more visceral lyrical approach as the topic of immigration and immigrants in America is brought up (not hard to see how this one relates to the modern world).

From this point on, harsh noise music and twisted electronics seldom leave the equation, though sometimes the guys toe the line between obtrusively loud and eerily atmospheric. Beyond The Madness uses noise to create a soft ambiance which results in some of the most hauntingly beautiful moments on the record, Nothing Stays Permanent actively incorporates a jazzy piano sample into surrounding distortion with screeches and industrial electronics. Straight Razors uses pure dissonance as the backbone of its instrumental, while Numb is drenched in a gorgeously melancholic soundscape that evokes a fleeting sense of nostalgia (coincidentally in a song about change).

The track Sacrifice utilizes the brooding synths of earlier tracks but ingeniously has intermingling stabs of piercing distortion and chilled synths. The mid paced track contains this amazing interplay between post-rock based crescendos and industrial ambiance that gets intruded by these interlocking scratches. It's the chaotic backdrop for MC Dalek to deliver the most misanthropic lyrics on the whole album:

Surmise existence is fitting,

only a species destined for death could convince themselves they're winning.

Unwitting accomplices in their own demise

And:

20 plus years of speaking on simple observation,

at times leaves me speechless, we sad creatures

This is possibly the darkest and most impassioned moment from the MC vocally on the album. It is both striking and unnerving in how grim it gets lyrically and the instrumental perfectly matches that tone.

Though there is no title track or obvious concept of the album, it's clear that the 7 minute track A Collective Cancelled Thought is the centerpiece of Endangered Philosophies. This track is a display of the most idiosyncratic writing and structuring across the 55 minute LP. The first two minutes of the cut is an unsettling and impenetrable series of building layers of electronics and bass tones. To clarify, this track is cacophonous, consuming noise with no beat to hang on to for two tense minutes. The drums that explode into the mix may give the listener some sense of normalcy to return to but it soon becomes evident that they're only here to allow Dalek and co. to experiment (over the next three minutes) as scratches, screeches and tumultuous industrial samples continually enter and leave from the whole breadth of this apocalyptic sonic landcape that's been laid bare before you. An all too brief ambient pause occurs before the MC starts viciously spitting bars for the next minute of the track. Similar to sacrifice, this is an visceral, misanthropic performance from brooks as he unleashes lyrics touching on genocide, death and humanities implosion.

After what is easily the most enigmatic and exhausting track on the album is Battlecries which conversely places itself as the most calm, melodic and down-tempo track on the album. It's excellent sequencing, as Dalek surely must know that a typical listener may have been overwhelmed by the preceding track. The beauty of it isn't lost, but is of course hidden underneath a smog of moody atmosphere. The album winds down with the following songs, ending with the aforementioned Numb (a contender for the best song on here).

From start to finish the production takes turns on Endangered Philosophies, willing to go from quietly contemplative to vehemently dissonant and everywhere in between while still utilizing a variety of different experimental styles. All of this is cohesively wrapped together with a persistently cold, bleak, dense atmosphere. The gloomy sound never really dissipates, but is twisted and takes on new forms from track to track. MC Dalek steps up to the plate every time and delivers powerful performances and thoughtful lyrics.

The average hip-hop listener may hear this album and think that it all sounds the same, but I implore that listener to become acquainted with more extreme styles of music; Dark ambient, noise, punk, industrial and metal. Dalek beautifully combine these into passionate, political hip-hop that at the core takes cues from public enemy and ice cube. Excelling at being experimental not by being erratic, but instead by being brooding and atmospheric. Dalek seldom will fully disengage from their hip-hop fundamentals but they're also OK with turning those foundations on their head for moments. They are a group unafraid to push these alien styles to the hip-hop listener, to leave long sections with no rapping, and to be punishingly abrasive or glacially ambient. Endangered Philosophies perfectly encapsulates and builds on the legacy of these experimental rap titans; It's enigmatic, angry, abrasive, dense, pessimistic and tiring to listen to, however through all of these idiosyncrasies lies a deeply rewarding and truly unique album in modern hip-hop that will repay the listener tenfold for enduring the madness.

Finally, there is something I believe is important to note throughout the album. The mixing of the vocals is distinctly low in the mix. Often times the lyrics are hard to hear and MC Dalek is fighting the layers of music around him. This definitely in part is to show the immensely detailed production, but I think also is used as a way of showing that even under all of this noise that the media, the racists, the politicians and the world makes – the people cannot be silenced, and neither can the revolution. Endangered Philosophies cannot be hunted to extinction. Dalek are here 20 years after their inception, as cutting edge as ever and breaking every rule in hip-hop, to keep fire and power in the hearts of the people that salt the earth.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the idea of focusing on atmosphere in rap over lyrics or flows? To the point where lyrics are being intentionally drowned in the mix
  2. Why do you think a group like Dalek, who've been doing noise-hop for 2 decades, never received the recognition or accolades of artists like death grips?
  3. In 2017 there's been plenty of political statements in rap music. Is it overdone, or do you want to hear more of it in your hip-hop? If so how should it be approached?
  4. Does a different culture (metalheads) appreciating and fostering this sound say something about the rap community? Is hip-hop exclusionary to artists trying to incorporate more experimental music into the culture?
  5. Would listening to a rap album ever make you go listen to a genre you never have before? Specifically genres that are not associated with rap often like metal or punk?
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HHH Secret Santa Mixtape Thread

Posted: 10 Dec 2017 11:38 AM PST

Hey y'all. Sorry this thread is so late, I've been busy gearing up for finals and shit.

RULES FOR THE MIXTAPE EXCHANGE

  1. Post a comment in this thread to be entered into the exchange.

  2. At some point before Christmas you'll be PM'd someone's username. You need to send that person an 8-10 song mixtape before December 24th (Spotify playlist, Youtube playlist, list of song titles, etc.)

  3. There will be a discussion thread after all the tapes are sent.

  4. Songs do NOT have to be from this year.

  5. Songs don't have to be obscure, just a representation of what you've been listening to this year. Avoid super mainstream artists like Drake, Kendrick, Lil Pump, etc.

  6. Dank hand crafted covers for the tape are highly encouraged

If you have any questions, feel free to message me. Shoutout to /u/Squid__ because none of this would be possible without them.

#FreeHannibal

EDIT: Not every song has to be hip hop, but the majority of your tape should be.

EDIT #2: /u/Squid__ will be sending you the message with the username, not me.

submitted by /u/freedawg
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EMINEMS REVIVAL LEAKED

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 11:37 AM PST

its out there

submitted by /u/Jazzsezhi
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Tracklist for Ski Mask the Slump God - The Book of Eli

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:28 PM PST

[Fresh] N.E.R.D - Don't Don't Do It! (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:42 AM PST

Music Mogul Russell Simmons is Accused of Raping Three Women

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 02:57 PM PST

BROCKHAMPTON to premiere new song on Zane Lowe tommorrow

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 02:09 PM PST

Nelly's Rape Case Dropped By Prosecutors

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 04:34 PM PST

[FRESH] Tay-K - The Race (Remix) [feat. 21 Savage & Young Nudy]

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:38 PM PST

[FRESH ALBUM] Tay-K - #SantanaWorld (+)

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:27 PM PST

Daily Discussion Thread 12/13/2017

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 05:20 PM PST

Welcome to the /r/hiphopheads daily discussion thread!

This thread is for:

  • objective questions with right/wrong answers (e.g. "Does anyone know what is happening with MIXTAPE?", "What is the sample in SONG?")
  • general hip-hop discussion
  • meta posts...e.g. ideas for the sub

Thread Guidelines

  • Do not create a separate self post for these types of discussions outside of this thread - if you do, your post will be removed.

  • Please be helpful and friendly.

  • If a question has been asked many times before, provide a link to a thread that contains the answer.

Other ways to interact

There are a number of other ways to interact with other members of HHH:

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[FRESH VIDEO] Meek Mill - We Ball ft. Young Thug (For real this time)

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 05:53 PM PST

[FRESH] Foster the People, J.I.D., SABA - “Pay The Man”

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:22 AM PST

King Geedorah - Anti Matter feat. MF Doom / Mr. Fantastik

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 03:50 PM PST

Lil Skies' new project "Life of a Dark Rose" will be coming out in January

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 01:05 PM PST

[FRESH][Vinyl Rip] Young Thug ft. Travis Scott - Me or Us - V

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 07:53 AM PST

Eminem & Royce Da 5'9 - A Kiss

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 02:39 PM PST

[FRESH] Boogie - Came Up

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 04:38 PM PST

[FRESH] Jorja Smith - Lost (Frank Ocean Cover)

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:51 AM PST

ILOVEMAKONNEN Feat Drake - Tuesday

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 04:39 AM PST

Huncho Jack Jack Huncho Travis Scott and Quavo Album

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 05:34 PM PST

is this album suppose to come out tomorrow or next week? Travis said at one of his shows last week that it was gonna come in a few days but i found out he has a concert this saturday and not another one until like december 30th so it makes me think he's gonna announce something this weekend and drop next week but idk im hoping tomorrow lol

submitted by /u/Poohbear1997
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Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon (Live NYC 2010)

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 06:29 PM PST

[FRESH] BROCKHAMPTON - BLEACH

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 11:22 PM PST

[FRESH] Tay-K - I Love My Choppa (Remix) [feat. Maxo Kream]

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 08:38 PM PST

New Zaytoven album called "Trapping Made It Happen" out this friday

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 06:10 AM PST

[FRESH] TAY K FREE

Posted: 13 Dec 2017 07:43 PM PST
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